Be it football, rugby, netball or golf - sport holds the capacity to delight, challenge and motivate people. However, water sports are all too often overlooked. From wild swimming and surfing the raging waves to discovering what lies beneath the hidden depths of the oceans, many water sports are among the toughest physical challenges an individual can undertake. Our photographers have tussled with a motor, and wrestled with waves, to capture the magnificence of the water sports the world over. We've selected 15 of their best.

Surfing the wave – a surfer in a close-up of the hollow of a breaking wave.

Surfing the wave – a surfer in a close-up of the hollow of a breaking wave.
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